The Other Half • Anakin Skywalker

-Chapter 4-

"the currents will pull you away from your love,

you gotta swim just to keep your head above."

-Anakin-

'1,2,3,4'

punch left.

'1,2,3,4'

punch right.

'1,2,3,4,'

kick left.

'1,2,3,4'

kick right.

restart.

The fourth week of training was extremely brutal, especially since I was focusing on m own health, and the fact that I had a meeting with some supposed hard-ass "leader of the empire" that I hadn't seen in the 4 weeks I've been here. How could you possibly lead an Empire if you not even here? Thats like saying you can fly a plane without being on it. I was having a hard time believing this dude, whoever he was, was actually a good leader. I figured that people just kiss up to him to keep him happy and hope that they get a rank up.

I finish training, and it feels like something crushed my ribs, and tied my knees together so that they buckle with every step I take. My knees shake and crumble as I walk up the many sets of stairs to the meeting room I was supposed to be in. I took a few calm breathes before entering the room. I saw three chairs, all around a circular chrome table, that was perfectly polished. I sat down in a chair, and waited on the Chancellor and the "leader of the Empire" to enter the room. I heard the door creak open, and jumped up from my seat, seeing the Chancellor enter the room, followed by someone in long, black knit robes that dragged the floor behind them.

"Ah, Anakin. How are you my boy?" The Chancellor questioned, attempting to make small talk.

"I'm fine, Chancellor, how are you?" I didn't really care, but I couldn't be rude to him.

The chancellor nodded, and seated himself at the shiny table. I sat down, and the black robed person sat between us, placing a stack of files on the table. The mysterious person sat down, then moved their chair in closer to the table, scratching the floors. The person distributed the files amongst the three of us, based on the files that have our names or affiliates on them. I receive files reading: 'Shmi Skywalker' 'Padme Amidala Neberrie' 'Obi Wan Kenobi' and 'Princess/Senator Leia Organa'. I place the files on an organized stack in front of me, and stare at the person whose face is still covered by the robes that cover the rest of their body. The person finally removed their robes, and I was astounded.

"Padme?"

"Not a chance Skywalker, I'm Lady of the Sith, Arkeah Neberrie. That is how you will refer to me until instructed otherwise, understand?"

" Yes, Lady Arkeah. I understand." I mutter.

"Good, Chancellor, would you like to start off by telling Mr. Skywalker why we are here?"

"Why, yes, Lady Arkeah, I would. Anakin, we have noticed a substantial decrease in the quality of your training. You seem to be struggling with clearing your mind, Why Anakin?"

"Chancellor Palpatine, sir, I have had trouble focusing on clearing my mind because, um, I-I"

"Enough! He obviously cannot provide us a clear answer, please leave us so I can extract the answer myself, Chancellor Palpatine sir."

Chancellor Palpatine eased his chair away from the table, and exited the room silently. I was extremely nervous to be left alone in the room with this Padme look-a-like leader. She stood from her chair, and circled around the table. She placed her hand on my shoulder and leaned down to my ear whispering,

"I remind you of someone don't I ? Someone you loved, someone you lost."

"Y-yes. you remind me of my wi-"

"I don't care who. Only that my looks are the reason you can't focus. Is that true?"

"Yes, Lady Arkeah. That is true."

She walked around to the other side of the table, into my plain sight. She was clearly attempting to force me to look at her, so I did. I stared at her face, and nearly every single detail of her face reminded me of Padme. Her nose, her cheekbones, her brow bones, even her chin, all looked like Padme. Then her eyes, her eyes were the only clear distinction of any difference between her and Padme. Hers were darker than the night, yet still brown. Padme's eyes were light, yet still also brown. but Arkeah, her eyes were beautiful, maybe even more beautiful than Padme's.

"You know, Skywalker, I can read your thoughts. So, Thanks."

Well, crap. I'm screwed. She's been hearing everything I've been saying about her since I walked in. I hope she knows that Padme was the most beautiful person, ever, and being compared to her is a complement.

I'd had enough thinking about Arkeah and how she looked like Padme, so I changed the topic in my head, just in case she was reading my thoughts.

"So, Anakin. You finally gonna tell me why you can't focus enough to lift a mere stick with your mind?"

She questioned my abilities, and it was rather hurtful, as I thought I had been doing well.

"It's just that Chancellor Palpatine told me that my dear Padme was alive, and here. And he said I had to be devoted to the dark side to see her. That's all I've been thinking about the entire time! I can't think about anything else. I'm sor-"

"Padme? What do you know of Padme?"

"She uh, she was my wife."

"Get out. Don't look at me. Or anyone. If I catch you in my sight, so help me, I will destroy you."

She pointed toward the door, clearly angry. She straightened her posture before taking a few steps back, I could hear her boots click the floor.

"Leave!"

She was yelling at me. I had no idea why, as she had asked me who Padme was, and I told her. I stood up, and walked towards the door.

"Try and destroy me, bitch."

And with that, I walked out, slamming the door behind me.